With the teams tennis season formally put to bed by the Bainbridge girls, who placed fourth at Saturdays Viking Invitational, a slate of 14 Spartans are set for action in the Metro League Individuals Tournament to be played May 14, 16 and 17.

Whitney Cheng, undefeated after 19 matches this season, seeks to break and extend the school career record of 75 wins, coming after she took three in a row at the Viking Invite, closing over Norths Erin Gallagher 6-0, 6-3 in the final.

It was a fun thing for our girls, said Bainbridge coach Mike Anderson of the event at North Kitsap, preparing for the league tourney as rain postponed training on Monday. For those going on into the postseason, we used it for practice and to try a few things.

Bainbridge placed fourth in the eight team girls-only tournament, ahead of North Kitsap but behind winner Sequim, and Heritage and Skyview both from the Vancouver, Washington area and both tying for second.

The doubles team of Molly Donohue and Anna Judson won two matches, the first a tough three-set win against Heather Daniels and Arby Olbrach of Skyview. They forced three sets in the final, losing 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 against the Heritage team of Stephani Vanos and Hannah Zitt.

In division two singles, Lauren Trageser got past two opponents, before losing 7-5, 6-0 to Britt Seaberg of North Kitsap.

Natalie Willits battled to two losses, including 6-3, 6-3 to Vanessa Esch of Skyview.

Jamie Slonaker and Taylor Raquer split two games in the second slate doubles competition. They beat North Kitsaps Cathryn Doorey and Brandi Meek 6-1, 6-4, before being forced out in the semis, 6-3, 7-6, by the Stacia Bibler/Staci Stratton duo from tournament winner Sequim.

Donohue (12-4 overall) joins her brother Daniel, as well as Cheng and Gaelen Kelly, competing for Bainbridge in the singles of the Metro Individual tourney next weekend.

Chengs brother Spencer will team with senior Hank Hobbs in doubles competition, while classmate Nash Reijnen plays with Sean Brachvogel, who have a 1-0 league record in doubles matches.

Darton Gibbons and Anna Judson join together, sporting a 2-0 league record in the mixed doubles bracket.

Action starts 8 a.m. Saturday on the courts of Lower Woodland in Wallingford and Ingraham High School. Those advancing will return Monday and Tuesday afternoon.

--T.F. Smeeth

Poloists flat vs. Newport

Proving how important team is in their Team Ray nickname, Bainbridge girls water polo, missing four starters to school testing, stumbled on the road to Newport losing 10-8 last Wednesday.

We got scored on early, coach Jeff Clark said, as a patchwork lineup faced a 3-0 deficit in the first three minutes. It kind of took the wind out of our sails.

Bainbridge battled to get back into the important league match, closing to 5-2 at the half, aware that Newport had lost to four other teams that the Spartans had beaten.

The Spartans worked to support the lead of top goal scorer Anne Scott, who found the net five times. Only Emily Lewis, who had two, and Chelsea Croxford who had the other Bainbridge score, managed to get on the scoreboard in the losing effort.

Theyll get another chance at Newport, when they host them May 20 at 3 p.m. at Ray Williamson pool in their final home game before the playoffs Memorial Day weekend.

Before then, Bainbridge has plenty of pool to lather. This Friday the Spartans host Shorewood at 3:30 p.m., then travel to Mercer Island Monday seeking to avenge their 8-6 shorthanded loss over spring break.

 T.F. Smeeth

Hall masters Eastside nine

Its coming down to the wire.

The Spartan varsity baseball team is in a tight race for the Mountain Division title with just two games to go. They enter the last week of the season a game behind Seattle Prep and Eastside Catholic, with ODea a game behind them.

The Spartans helped their cause by coming back after last Wednesdays loss to the Crusaders by defeating the same squad 8-4 at Newport Hills. Coach Jayson Gore felt the loss was demoralizing to Eastside Catholic.

We showed a lot of character coming back against this team, he said. Our backs were against the wall and we responded. This was a much needed confidence boost.

C.J. Hall threw a complete game for his fourth win of the year. Hall was lights-out, taking a perfect game going into the fifth and only allowed three hits all game, two of them home runs. He struck out eight and walked two.

He was outstanding, Gore said. He kept them off balance the entire game and had his curve and his change working to perfection.

The Spartans scored in the first inning on an RBI double by Robbie Stevenson, then gave Hall more support in the third.

Stevenson reached base on an error, then Frazee hit one out for his seventh home run of the year. After Hall singled and advanced on a fielders choice, Blake Jensen singled him home.

In the fourth, Stevenson doubled, then Frazee was walked intentionally. Hall then singled, scoring Stevenson. Gent hit into a fielders choice, scoring Frazee.

Bainbridge added insurance runs in the fifth on a Zach Peach single and in the seventh on a Stevenson RBI single.

Hall gave up his only runs in the fifth on a Pat Terry solo homer and a three-run homer from Garrett Miller in the seventh.

Bainbridge will take on Seattle Prep today at BHS at 4 p.m.

 John Becerra, Jr.

Fastpitchers staying alive

The Spartans fastpitch team will have to wait and see if they make the playoffs.

Their Monday game against Seattle Prep was rained out; they made up the contest yesterday and will play Prep again today at 4 p.m. in the last home game of the year, needing a win to keep the dream alive.

Their hopes were dealt a setback on Friday, as they lost 5-3 to Eastside Catholic. It was a back-and-forth affair, but four Bainbridge errors and timely hitting by the Crusaders would ultimately lead to the Spartans downfall.

It was a well played game, head coach Liz McCloskey said. The defense was good, but there were some mental errors that cost us some runs.

The Spartans got on the board in the first inning. Kelcee Azure led off with a single, then eventually scored on Tabitha Mabreys double.

The Crusaders countered in the second as they scored on an error. Bainbridge Island countered in the third as Karen Robinson struck out, but reached base on a passed ball. Amanda Szarzynski singled, then Stephanie Wagner reached base on an error to load the sacks. Chelsea Baker then worked a walk to score Robinson.

Eastside Catholic tied it back up in the fourth, then scored three in the fifth. Bainbridge would rally in the seventh, as Azure walked, then Robinson singled and Szarzynski hit into a fielders choice, scoring Azure. That was all they could muster, as Wagner flew out and Chelsea Hansen grounded out to end the game.

Brittany Brown went the entire game, striking out six as she picked up the win. Robinson took the loss, but walked only one and struck out one.

She did a good job of being confident and playing her game, assistant coach Katie Leigh said.

Surviving seven goals and four assists from Panthers Shane ONeill, three hat tricks in all, the Spartans awoke from a mini-slump. Bainbridge lost 9-7 to visiting Eastside Friday, which followed a narrow 13-12 escape to the Lions last week in an overtime thriller at Lakeside.

What can I say, said Bainbridge coach Jack Visco after Fridays rare home loss. Ive told the guys that everyone is gunning for them. We cannot afford to not show up ready to play. They showed up to play but not ready to compete. That is the difference.

Monday night, the Spartans came ready to go after it as a team and were successful pulling together. They pressured Prep all evening, producing a plethora of shots, unlike Friday. Panther goalkeeper Mike Tavers faced 37 shots on the cage, swatting and kicking out 18.

The win helped Bainbridge (10-4) keep hold of second place in the Sound Conference of Division I, and makes the Friday match-up with Garfield at 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium a focal point for the season.

Against Eastside the Spartans lost focus, making mistakes in several areas. Playing their fourth goalkeeper of the season, there was a consensus they may have found a solid performer in sophomore Pat McMullen who moved from Oregon for his freshman year last year, taking up lacrosse.

He shows natural instincts, said Visco of the play of his new netminder in only his second year with the sport. McMullen made 10 saves on 19 shots.

Two goals apiece came from Cody Bludorn and Willy Delius, with one goal each from Zach Smith, Dylan Masi and Sean Forsyth.

The Eastside keeper only faced 16 shots on frame, making nine saves. Compare that to the 27 shots on goal that Lakeside faced, or the 37 Monday night.

Bainbridge will need to win against the Roughriders next Wednesday to close out the season, and hope for help and two more losses for the Bulldogs (11-1) to pull into a tie.

The Mercer game was a good game for our kids, said Visco, then looking ahead. Weve still got issues to deal with.

Garfield hosted Division I elite Mercer Island last night, then travel to Lakeside before closing out against Nathan Hale.

The team that finishes atop the Sound Conference avoids the Islanders in the playoffs, which enhances their chances to be in the championship game May 28 at Qwest Field.

The Spartans play Friday and Wednesday with 7:30 p.m. faceoffs at Memorial Stadium.

Girls LAX ride a steamroller

The Bainbridge girls lacrosse steamroll into tonights showdown with Mercer Island, having executed to near perfection in a 21-1 win at Bellevue Friday.

Play was outstanding in all aspects of the game. Bainbridge shot often, and were on-frame 33 times, with eight scorers.

Spartan goaltender Dimi Lotakis showed her all-everything form, facing down all but one of 11 Wolverine shots.

Colbi Brawner, who pitched for four ground balls, and Anne Kent each scored five goals. Midfielder Christen Toepel, also with four scoops, nailed a hat trick while Grace Davis caused four turnovers to go along with her three ground balls and a score.

Alex Winnicki with three assists and Hannah Davis with two feeds herself, joined Jane Baumgartner chipping in two goals apiece. Lindsay Lund rounded out the scoring with her goal, assist and three ground balls.

Tied in the A-league West Conference with Lakeside, the only team to defeat them so far this year, the Spartans cross sticks with undefeated Mercer Island atop the East.

All three teams have 20 points in the standings based on their 10 wins. Lakesides only loss came to Bainbridge from their confrontation early in the season, 12-3 in late March.

Heading into the 6 p.m. faceoff at Memorial Stadium against the Islanders, Bainbridge sports seven scorers in double digits.

After that match, what most are calling a preview of the state championships scheduled for May 21, the Spartans travel to North Kitsap for a Friday 5 p.m. return match against the Vikings to complete their regular season.

They are on track for the playoffs May 17.

The site will be at home if Bainbridge finishes atop the West conference where they are tied with Lakeside but hold the tiebreaker.

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